Cardinalfish "Veil" - Tanichthys albonubes "Long fin

Especially with its long veil fin s this breeding form of the cardinal fish, Tanichthys albonubes "long fin", has swum its way into our hearts. This with a maximum of 3.5-5 cm quite small and relatively undemanding fish can already be kept and maintained by beginners in the 60 liter cold water aquarium and even in the garden pond. The scientific epithet albonubes is derived from the Latin albus for white and nubes for cloud, thus defining the former location of the White Cloud Maountain.

Already since the 30s the small cardinal enriches the aquaristics and has lost nothing of its charm since then. Originally, this fish, which is distantly related to the danios , originated from clear and rather slow-flowing to stagnant mountain streams with weedy banks and seemed to be extinct in the 80s. However, in the fall of 2003, a very small population was discovered in northern Guangzhou, as well as on Hainan Island and a river flowing into Halong Bay in Vietnam. Wild groups in Hong Kong and Shenzhen are now believed to be extinct, as the cardinalfish reproduces rather poorly in the wild, and artificial water detour and rainforest clearing pose a massive threat to its conservation.

The veiltail cardinalfish has a metallic silver base color with a light longitudinal band on top. Just in front of the caudal fin root, as in the nominate form, there is a black distinct spot. The rather far back set dorsal fin starts at the same level as the very large anal fin, both of which are colored yellow close to the body and are fringed with red. The pelvic fin may show the same coloration. The pectoral fins are transparent to yellowish, the caudal fin is also translucent and only shows a red spot behind the root.

Cardinalfish in the species aquarium form more magnificent colors and larger body shapes than those kept in the community aquarium with possible nuisance fish. The males are quite dominant and form spawning territories from which they vigorously chase their fellow fish, though without really harming them in the process.

The males differ visually from the females by distinctly more pronounced colors as well as a slimmer physique. The females, on the other hand, remain correspondingly paler and somewhat plumper with a considerably fuller girth. Females ready to spawn can become roly-poly and "swimming tons" similar to guppies.

Although Cardinalfish are already fine in cooler temperatures around 20 °C and rather have problems with warm climes, they can be motivated to breed with a short-term temperature increase and simultaneous intensive live feeding. The males court the females with erect fins, circle them and mutate to real "posers". Cardinals are free spawners, meaning they spawn throughout the aquarium wherever they happen to be "standing and swimming". However, since they occasionally become spawn predators, spawning in a rearing aquarium is worthwhile if you value a high number of young. The spawning aquarium does not require any special effort. A capacity of 10-20 liters is quite sufficient, mosses and fine feathery plants serve as spawning substrate. Young cardinals have to "stand in the food" and eat permanently. They hatch after about 48 hours and should be fed with infusoria and Artemia nauplii. The live food prevents too rapid contamination of the water, as would be the case with dry food (dust powder).

Very clean water should be ensured, in some cases this can be changed several times a day up to 60% with water from the community aquarium. The young are quite small and should not be returned to their parents until they are large enough that they are not in danger of being eaten.

Cardinalfish should generally be kept in groups of at least 8, but preferably 12 or more animals in a shoal, so that possible intra-species aggression is distributed accordingly. The substrate may be made of light coarse gravel, bog pine roots and stones form privacy screens and territories, dense planting in places offers annoyed ladies the opportunity to relax, less dominant animals but also a retreat. They tolerate water values with pH-values between 6-7,5, a water hardness of 4-30° dGH, as well as rather lower temperatures of 17-22°C. Permanent temperatures above 23°C lead to diseases.

Socialization with other danios and peaceful fish is possible, also with dwarf crayfish. Small shrimps may be eaten under certain circumstances.

Cardinals are omnivores and can be fed live and frozen food, but also dry food, granules and algae tablets. Their diet should be varied for their well-being.

Our food recommendation: The fragrant NatureHolic Guppyfeed was tailor-made for the needs of guppies and other viviparous fish in the aquarium. In addition to high-quality animal ingredients, it also contains vegetable components that benefit guppies & co. The soft granules protect the sensitive mouth of the viviparous from injuries caused by hard food grains and provide the fish with a natural feeding experience.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.